IS THE SABBATH BINDING TODAY? #2
By David J. Riggs
Intro.
A. In our last study, we examined the arguments made by those who
teach that the Sabbath is binding today.
B. In this lesson we want to examine the New Testament to see
what it teaches regarding the proper day of worship for
Christians.
C. John the apostle said that he was in the spirit "on the Lord's
day." Rev. 1:10
1. What day is "the Lord's day" in the New Testament? Is it
the Sabbath or is it the first day of the week?
2. Definitely, the first day of the week is the Lord's day and
is the day of worship for Christians.
I. THERE WERE MANY EVENTS THAT TOOK PLACE ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE
WEEK.
A. As we know, Christ arose on the first day.
1. Notice how carefully the Holy Spirit shows us exactly which
day on which the Lord arose. Matt. 28:1,6; Luke 23:56-24:1
B. Christ appeared to the Disciples on that first day when He
arose, and on the following first day.
1. He appeared first to Mary Magdalene. Mark 16:9
2. On "that same day" He appeared to the two on the way to
Emmaus. Luke 24:13-15
3. He appeared to the eleven on that same day; and then, one
week later, He appeared to the twelve with Thomas present.
John 20:26
4. Thus, these first two appearances to His disciples were on
the first day. We do not know which day the third
appearance by the Sea of Galilee was on. John 21:14
C. Pentecost came on the first day of the week. Lev. 23:15-16
1. Therefore, all the events that took place on that day were
on the first day of the week.
a. The Holy Spirit came in fulfillment of prophecy.
b. The New Testament Law went into effect.
c. The gospel, in its entirety, began to be preached.
d. The church or kingdom had it beginning.
II. THE SCRIPTURES PLAINLY SHOW WHEN THE DISCIPLES MET TO PARTAKE OF
THE LORD'S SUPPER. Acts 20:7
A. This verse show us that the common practice of the early
disciples was to meet on the first day of the week to partake
of the Lord's Supper.
1. Even though Paul was "hurrying" on his journey (Acts
20:16), they stayed seven days (Acts 20:6-7) so that they
could worship with the saints who met on the first day of
the week.
a. This week would have included a Sabbath, but there
was no mention of it as a day of worship.
B. The term "breaking of bread" can refer to both a common meal
and to the Lord's Supper. The context determines which one is
under consideration.
1. Here in Acts 20:7, we see that it is a worship service of
the disciples of Christ. Thus, "breaking of bread" here
refers to the Lord's Supper.
a. See also 1 Cor. 10:16-17 where breaking of bread refers
to the Lord's Supper.
(1) It is also called "the Lord's table." 1 Cor. 10:21
2. Later in this same context of Acts 20:7, it mentions where
only Paul (notice the "he") broke bread for the ordinary
eating of food.
a. Acts 2 also mentions, regarding "breaking of bread."
both the Lord's supper and ordinary eating. Acts
2:42,46
C. As we know, Jesus commanded His disciples to eat the supper
which He instituted. Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke
22:15-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-26
1. Consider 1 Cor. 11:20. Paul states the negative, but the
positive was what they should have been doing as he goes
on to show.
a. Though 1 Cor. 11:20-34 does not mention the day, it
shows they were partaking of the Lord's Supper on a
regular basis.
D. Some modern-speech translations use "Saturday night" in Acts
20:7
1. They are giving their own opinion as to what time they think
it was, rather than what the Holy Spirit said.
a. It is the duty of translators to give exactly what is
said, and not a commentary on what they think it means.
b. These people insist that Luke was using Jewish time
(from sundown to sundown) and it could have been
Saturday night here.
(1) They are admitting that even in Jewish time, it
could have been the next day; that is, the next day
when the night was over.
(2) However, their translation does not allow for this.
2. Luke, a Gentile, was writing to Theophilus, a Gentile, and
speaks regarding a church in a Gentile city.
a. He would have no reason to be using Jewish time here.
He would simply use the Roman time they were under
which was from midnight to midnight, the same as
ours.
(1) Luke did not say, "Now on the early part of the
Sabbath, when the disciples came together to break
bread..."
III. GIVING WAS TO BE DONE ON THE FIRST DAY. 1 Cor. 16:2
A. This, again, shows that in that early age the Christians
worshiped on the first day.
B. Again, Paul did not say, "On the Sabbath, let each one of you
lay by him in store."
Concl.
A. The New Testament reveals that the first day of the week is the
Lord's day, the day of worship for Christians.